Faculty Answers
Do I have to report a cheating violation to the Office of Student Conduct?
Faculty are not required to report academic misconduct to this office. However, reporting these incidents to the Office of Student Conduct gives us the opportunity to work with the student to change their behavior for the future, and to protect the integrity of your class and the University. Sometimes faculty are reluctant to submit the incident to the Office of Student Conduct based on their belief or the students belief that the report of this incident will result in lifelong consequences for the student. This is an exageration and in fact, there is even a process where a student can eventually petition to have a suspension notation lifted from their transcript. Again, the goal is to change behaviors. Faculty may not impose a grade penalty on a student as a result of their belief that the student has committed academic misconduct, unless the student pleads guilty by signing the Report of an Academic Integrity Violation Form, or being found guilty by the Academic Integrity Review Board.
How much time will it take to resolve a case of academic misconduct?
Each case is different. It is much easier to gather all the information in the case if the TA for the class or the faculty saw the student looking at note cards, and then took the cards, than it is to track down a passage in literature that might be plagiarized. The next variable is the meeting with the student. Students who are truthful and cooperative will likely take less time to walk through the process than students who are defensive and evasive. Cases that are resolved by the faculty when the student signs the report form often take an hour or less. Preparation time for a hearing usually takes an hour in simple cases, and hearings usually last between 2 and 2 1/2 hours. Our experience is that the entire process, resulting in a hearing, will likely take at least 3 hours.
How does the system work these days?
There are two descriptions available on this site to help describe the process. The full procedures are available, as well as an abbreviated primer version. A quick glance at either description will show that the process changed dramatically when the Code of Student Conduct was rewritten in 1990.
First, read at least one of the procedural descriptions included in the previous question. Then check out the "How to Confront" article for advice and tips on talking with a student that you suspect has committed academic misconduct. And finally, download the Report of an Academic Integrity Violation Form [PDF] from this site. If you have any questions along the way, call us at 515-2963.
Where can I find the Report of an Academic Integrity Violation Form?
It is available on the Academic Integrity page of this website, or here [PDF] .
How do I conduct the meeting with the student?
Check out the "How to Confront" article for tips and advice on this topic. Call us at 515-2963 if you have questions or concerns not addressed by the article.
Do I need to have a witness in the meeting with the student?
In general our advice is that you do not need a witness to the meeting. Some faculty have been concerned about the discussion being misrepresented at a later date for some reason. Our best advice is to familiarize yourself with the procedures by reviewing this site, then meet with the student. Approaching the discussion as a facilitator usually results in a reasonable and calm discussion. If at any time you or the student feels uncomfortable, it is a good idea to call a halt to the meeting and get further advice.
What are my sanction options if the student signs the form?
If the student signs the Report of an Academic Integrity Violation Form, you are empowered to assess a sanction in this case, up to and including the assignment of a failing grade for the course. There are a wide range of options that include the following: having the student retake a similar exam, reducing the exam grade for that exam including the possibility of no credit for the exam, required attendance in the Academic Integrity Seminar, a failing grade for the course, and a request for a Hearing to explore the possibility of suspension or expulsion. Other options may be available depending upon the specific case. Call the Office of Student Conduct at 515-2963 if you have questions in this area.
What if the student refuses to sign the form?
It is the student's right not to sign the form if they think they are not guilty, or if they would prefer to have their case resolved by the Academic Integrity Review Board. In this case, complete as much of the form as possible, copy the relevant materials, and send the whole packet to the Office of Student Conduct at box 7321. We will then contact you to schedule a hearing.
How should I respond if the student's parents contact me?
You are not obligated to discuss your concerns with a student's parent. In fact, the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 prohibits this type of contact without first securing a release from the student. You may, after having the student sign an appropriate release, engage the parents in the discussion. If you do not want to participate in this type of discussion you are encouraged to refer the parents to this office for information about the process and instruction about releases and confidentiality. You can also contact us for copies of a release to use. This is not available on the web because some cases require specific language in the release. We can help sort through these issues.
Are there any risks for faculty that use the student judicial process?
Since 1990, when this University adopted the current version of the Code of Student Conduct, there have been no cases of students bringing suit against a faculty for using the student judicial process. In addition, there have been no reported incidents of students making threats against faculty for engaging in this process. In all likelihood there are greater risks when a faculty penalizes a student without going through the student judicial process.
Who do I contact if I have questions or need guidance on a case?
Contact the staff in the Office of Student Conduct at 515-2963, or by using the e-mail link at the bottom of this page.
Who do I refer a student to if they have questions?
Students with questions should be referred to the Office of Student Conduct in 1115 Pullen Hall. The telephone number is 515-2963. It is always better to delay a decision for a day or two while a student gets the information that they need to respond to the charges in their case.
What do I need to know about confidentiality in these types of cases?
Confidentiality in student conduct cases is guided by the Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Act of 1974, and its various amendments. As a general rule it is a good practice to keep this information confidential during the review process with the exception of your department head and the staff in the Office of Student Conduct. Once a case is concluded the confidentiality guidelines stay in place. It would be a violation of the Federal law to share that information with other faculty who have that student in class, to use it as an object lessor for the class, or to discuss information specific enough to identify the student in a forum such as a departmental meeting.
What do I do if I am not certain that academic misconduct has occurred?
Call the Office of Student Conduct to consult with one of the staff. You can describe what you believe has occurred and we can help to interpret the Code of Student Conduct or give you other ideas for further investigation.
What grade do I submit if grades are due but the case isn't resolved?
There is often an increase in reports of academic misconduct during final exams. If grades are due before the case can be resolved we suggest you submit an Incomplete. A Late grade submission carries an expectation for a quick turn around time on the final grade change. An Incomplete submission provides additional time if necessary to fully explore the issues of the case.
For additional questions see Common Questions.